From “Wonderboy” to “Grendizer”: Remembering Sami Clark, the Lebanese Legendary Singer Behind Your Favorite Tunes
On Feb. 20, the Arab music world was saddened by the news of one of its biggest stars passing away. Sami Clark died at the age of 73 due to heart disease complications. He was a Lebanese singer with a legacy of songs in different languages and children’s animation openings. Let us remember him through his work and eternal legacy.
The Singer
Born in May 1948, in Dhour El Choueir, Lebanon. Clark started his music career in the 60s when he started Law School in Beirut. He sang in Arabic, English, and many other languages like Armenian, Italian, and Russian. He was at the height of his career in the 80s, almost known worldwide back at that time. He also won many international awards one of which is the Menschen und Meer prize in Austria for the song that made him famous “Mori Mori.”
He is probably most known for singing children’s cartoon scores from the 90s. Shows like “Treasure Island”, “Wonder Boy”, and “Grendizer” which he performed live in 2018 in collaboration with Emirati composer Ihab Darwish alongside the Beethoven Academy Orchestra, in celebration of the cartoon show’s 40th anniversary airing in the Arab world.
The Songs
As previously mentioned, Clark was a multi-lingual singer. His songs were characterized by range, from Romance to Patriotism. His most famous songs were “Mawtenty Mawteny”, “Khabbie Eyounek”, “Delouna”, “Ommy”, “Oumy ta Norkos”, “Kenna Youmiy”, and many more.
Sonically, he was versatile; able to change the sound and styling of his songs going along with what was trending in each decade, he was active while still being authentic to his own sound.
The Memory
Many Arab singers mourned his death over social media singers like Wael Jassar, Carole Samaha, and Bassem Moughnieh who wrote “Goodbye, Grendizer” in his obituary. While Lebanese singer/songwriter, Tina Yamout tweeted, “Your songs live on.”
One of the biggest milestones in Clark’s legacy is him being the head of the union of Lebanese artists.
It is a given that his legacy and voice will live on way past his passing away. We need to make sure of that.
